Chat: Paul Tergat

Paul Tergat of Kenya, who edged Hendrick Ramaala last November by one second in 2:09:30 in the most excruciatingly close finish in ING New York City marathon history, will return to defend his New York title on November 5

Paul Tergat of Kenya, who edged Hendrick Ramaala last November by one second in 2:09:30 in the most excruciatingly close finish in ING New York City marathon history, will return to defend his New York title on November 5. The 2005 women's titleist, Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia, is also returning to New York. Tergat set the world marathon record of 2:04:55 in Berlin in 2003. He was second in the Flora London marathon twice, in 2001 with a 2:08:15 and in 2002 with a 2:05:48, He was second in Chicago in 2001 in 2:08:56 and fourth in 2002 in 2:06:18. Tergat was tenth in the marathon in the 2004 Athens Olympics in 2:14:45. Prior to his focus on the marathon, Tergat had won silver medals in the Olympic 10,000 in 1996 and 2000 and in the World Championships 10,000 in 1995, 1997, and 1999. He's won five World Cross Country titles and two World Half-Marathon Championships. He also won the Lisbon Half-Marathon in 2005 in 59:10. Tergat was one of 17 children in a family growing up in Kenya's Rift Valley. He and his wife Monica now have three children and live in N'gong, a village outside Nairobi.

ING New York City Marathon Race Director Mary Wittenberg stated last week, "Paul is one of the very, very top our sport has ever seen, but as he said, it was quite a hard victory last year. Some athletes might rest their laurels on such a victory, and there was real risk that Paul could make that decision. I'm not surprised, knowing his nature and the high goals he sets for himself and his high level of initiative, that he's back." Wittenberg added "last year's race was a masterpiece of our sport" and "the most compelling race we've ever had."

Runner's World Daily: Needless to say, the 2005 ING New York City Marathon was, even for someone with a distinguished career like yours, indelibly memorable.Paul Tergat: Honestly, I want to say that it was a very very strong field. The athletes who were assembled there, competing there, it was a classic field. The ING New York City Marathon is one of the most difficult courses I've ever competed on in my career. And also it was very hot, very humid. But I was happy that I was able to win the race.

RWD: In a race like the one with Ramaala, each time you dig down, you can't give it absolutely all you've got, knowing you're going to have to go well that four or five times, perhaps, even in the last 400 meters. How do you know how much to give each time?PT: Most of the time, it's not something that I plan myself. But I just find that I'm in this situation. But the most important thing is that it wasn't the first time I was in such a scenario. It helped me to use past experiences, like in the Sydney Olympics and many other races. I've come to the last stages; what do I have? I have to dip in more. I've learned the way to lift in the decisive moments of the race. Especially with what you saw in New York last time, the last stages, I realized that somebody was likely to fall down here. It would either be me or Ramaala. Luckily, I was able to stand and be on my feet at the end. But it's the way I train, too. I always train so that just in case of anything, I want the last part of my training to be very, very difficult and very fast, too.

RWD: We assume coming back to defend your New York Marathon title was an easy decision to make.PT: Sure. New York is one of the most exciting places to be in the world. I want to say (thanks) especially to the organizers, and the director Mary (Wittenberg) and many other people who give me the opportunity and the honor to compete again in the ING New York City Marathon for the second time. This time, I hope it will be something more special.

RWD: Do you want to see Hendrick Ramaala come back to New York?PT: I'm sure Ramaala (who won in New York in 2004) would like again to have one of the biggest races in the world. So I hope Ramaala will be returning. I love where there is real competition. That's why I never run away (from) where there are really top athletes competing.

RWD: Tell us about the injury you've struggled with in 2006, the one that kept you out of the Flora London Marathon. At what point did you determine you're pretty much okay and on the mend from that?PT: What happened is that this was more of a calf injury. It came, actually, in the last stages of my training (for London). That's why I pulled out of the London Marathon, which I was debating, because I was in the best shape and fitness of my career. I was really looking forward to have a big fight and try to run London. I've never won London. I finished second; I've run 2:05 in London, but I've never won. And training had been working out well. Nevertheless, I don't regret, and I'm happy I'm back now to my normal form, good health, and I'm looking forward.

RWD: Where will most of your training for the ING New York City Marathon take place?PT: I do the better part of my training in Kenya. But I just move to Europe for acclimatization before I come to the United States. That will be between Italy and Switzerland, in St. Moritz. Unfortunately, now, it's very hot in Europe now.

RWD: You're known for, and you've been honored for, your work with the United Nations World Food Programme. Why is that so important to you?PT: Thank you very much. Personally, when I was young and growing up in the rural part of Kenya, I was the beneficiary programs supported by the WFP. When I see the way I've worked in my life, I would feel like maybe I was able to give something back to the community. If I was able to change even one life for the better, that would be really nice. That's why, even being very busy, I would still support this charity with my time, to give an opportunity to these young, poor children around the world.